Tag: Engine

Boom Supersonic to Partner with Kratos on Engines for its Jets

Reuters reports, “Boom Supersonic charted plans on Tuesday to develop an engine for its jets in partnership with a unit of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions after a snub from legacy civil engine makers left the U.S. startup with few options.” The company “also outlined deals with GE Additive and maintenance, repair & overhaul firm StandardAero.”
Full Story (Reuters)

Pratt & Whitney’s Engine Powers New B-21

Connecticut Post reports that the B-21 “is the Air Force’s first new bomber since the 1989 debut of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, with both using a ‘flying wing’ design to reduce the odds of showing up on radar, which uses four engines from GE Aviation.” The Air Force “has yet to specify how many engines will power the B-21.” Military trade publications “have cited analyst speculation that the B-21 engine may be a variant of the F135 engine Pratt & Whitney makes for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet.” Pratt & Whitney recently “completed its 1,000th engine under the F135 program.” Raytheon CEO Greg Hayes said, “The F135 … is the safest, most capable and best-value, military jet engine in operation. We’re working on the F135 engine core upgrade. … This will allow the F135 to provide even more thrust, range and electrification to the aircraft.”
Full Story (Connecticut Post)

Boeing Pauses 777 Testing After Engine Issue

FlightGlobal reports that The Boeing Company “has halted its 777-9 flight-test programme due to a problem involving a flight-test aircraft’s GE Aerospace GE9X turbofan, prompting engine evaluations by GE.” Both companies confirm “the flight-test pause but provide few details about the problem, leaving the extent of the issue and its potential impact on the 777-9’s certification timeline unclear.” GE says it “discovered the problem, later found to involve temperatures, following a borescope inspection.” Boeing’s 777-9 certification program “is already substantially delayed, with Boeing most recently – in April – pushing its expected first 777-9 delivery back two years, to 2025.”
Full Story (FlightGlobal)

Netherlands Receives its 20th and Final Boeing CH-47F Chinook Heavy Lift Helicopter

FlightGlobal reports that on November 14, the Netherlands “received its 20th and final Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy lift helicopter.” The Boeing Company “said it had delivered the final Chinook airframe to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), marking the conclusion of Amsterdam’s fleet upgrade programme.” Boeing H-47 program manager Ken Eland said, “These state-of-the art aircraft will significantly improve their defence and humanitarian assistance capabilities.”
Full Story (FlightGlobal)

Boom Faces Battle in Search for Supersonic Engine

Aviation International News reports that as Boom “continues its efforts to convince an engine manufacturer to back its supersonic ambitions by investing in a new power plant, how exactly airlines expect to capitalize on the promised Mach 1.7 speed remains a central question.” Critics question the viability of a fuel-thirsty SST aircraft when airlines are searching for cleaner and more efficient engines. However, Boom believes the use of 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can make Overture operations carbon-neutral. An American Airlines spokesman said, “As Boom continues to develop the Overture aircraft, we will work together to better understand where, when, and how it may best fit within our network and operation. With the aircraft not expected to carry its first passengers until 2029, it’s premature to discuss specific routes. Additionally, the specifics of the purchase are still subject to a finalized purchase agreement with future agreed upon milestones and terms, including customary requirements and conditions.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)